Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

diabetes, type 2
A form of diabetes mellitus in
which patients can still produce insulin, but do so
relatively inadequately. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
occurs mostly in individuals over 30 years old and the
incidence increases with age. While there is a strong
genetic component to developing this form of dia-
betes, there are other risk factors, particularly obe-
sity. Symptoms include increased urine output,
increased appetite and thirst, unexplained weight loss
or fluctuation, and fatigue. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is
first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet,
and exercise. When these measures fail to control the
elevated blood sugars, oral medications are used. If
oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medica-
tions are considered. Also known as non-insulin-
dependent diabetes, adult-onset diabetes, or
insulin-resistant diabetes. See also 
diabetes, type 1;
diabetic neuropathy; diabetic retinopathy.
diabetes, unstable
See 
diabetes, labile.
Diabetes Association, American
See 
ADA.
diabetes diet
Dietary control that is the primary
method for treating all forms of diabetes. The goal
is to minimize the chance of overloading the body
with the sugar glucose. Patients with diabetes bene-
fit from eating carefully controlled amounts and
types of food at regular intervals throughout the day,
rather than at two or three large meals. Soluble
fibers, such as oat bran, apples, citrus, pears, peas
and beans, and psyllium, slow down the digestion of
carbohydrates (sugars), which results in better glu-
cose metabolism. Patients avoid consumption of
sugary foods and moderate their intake of starches
that convert quickly to glucose. Some patients with
type 2 diabetes may be successfully treated with diet
alone, and patients on insulin can often reduce their
insulin requirements by adhering to the appropriate
diet. Learning proper eating habits is especially
important for children with diabetes (type 1 diabet-
ics), who run the highest long-term risk of severe
symptoms.